One Teacher, 170 Pupils In Delta Community School As Council Boss Moves To Address Shortage

Isoko South Council Chairman, Comrade Friday Ovoke Warri, has expressed concerns over teacher shortage at Okugbe Primary School in Ikpide-Irri community, where a single teacher is overwhelmed with teaching 170 pupils.

Warri discovered the shocking situation during an unscheduled visit to the school and vowed to address the issue, emphasizing that education is the foundation of societal growth.

The chairman who was at the community at the instance of a social and pressure group, ‘Concerned Indigenes of Ikpide-irri 4-Development (CIID), to access of dilapidated social amenities in the area, expressed commitment to resolving the shortage crisis which underscores his administration’s focus on prioritizing education and ensuring quality learning for all.

Saying that his administration placed premium on health and education sectors, he said, “education remains the bedrock of every society as I will not joke with the issue of education. Education is utmost in my heart”.

He, equally, said that his administration will prioritise projects focused on the welfare of the people, particularly in education, and those that enhance the socio-economic well-being of the region in line with the state governor’s MORE agenda policy.

The council chairman in company of his vice, council officials and elated community residents walked over three kilometres round the community to evaluate essential communal projects and government infrastructure, including the primary school, health centre, market, and water borehole tank with earning acclaim from local residents.

While addressing a crowd of enthusiastic residents at the community town hall, Warri, declared, “My administration values investments in education, healthcare infrastructure, clean water, and strategic development projects, all designed to improve living standards and make government services more accessible, where women and children can seek medical care and children can pursue their education.

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“The arrival of Warri will bring respite from our troubles; we acknowledge the existing challenges. As local government, our mission is to improve constituent lives, albeit with restricted resources.

“We will address feasible tasks and seek Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff Francis Orohwedor Oborevwori state government intervention for matters beyond our capacity, relying on his demonstrated commitment to supporting local governance.”

He, however assured the people of Ikpide-irri community that within the next one month, teachers shall be posted to the primary sch7to close that long gap between the pupils and qualitative learning.

In his remarks at the community’s town Hall, chairman of Ikpide Irri community, Mike Ighoboro, expressed delight at hosting a sitting local government chairman, a rare privilege and occurrence in Ikpide-irri community for quite some time now.

Recalled that the Concerned Indigenes Of Ikpide-Irri 4-Development (CIID), had on Monday, August, 26, 2024, appealed to the chairman to extend dividends of democracy to their community when they paid him a courtesy visit.

During the visit, Comrade Obruozie Tom Odiuzou on behalf of the Concerned Indigenes Of Ikpide-Irri 4-Development (CIID) and flanked by ex-president general of Ikpide-irri Progress Union and leader of the delegation, Chief Joseph Ubeleke, had complained about lack of teachers in the primary school. They also complained about lack of other basic amenities including, health care centre, solar street lights, water, market, among others.

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They noted that Ikpide-Irri riverine community is one of the largest communities of Irri Clan/Kingdom, Isoko South council of the state that has not gotten its fair share of social amenities from the three tiers of government.

“We are an agrarian community, specializes in the production of farm produce such as garri, starch, plantains, yams and peppers etc to guarantee food security in the state. Our Comrade chairman, sir, we graciously appeal to you to assist our beloved community in the following above pressing areas.

“Last year, we lost a pregnant woman during labour but had to be rushed to Kaiama in Bayelsa state where every local goes now for health care. We passionately appeal to you to do everything in your power to make our healthcare centre functional again.” CIID had requested.